IN A FIRST IN OMAN, A MALL TO OPEN ON SPORTS CLUB PREMISES

In a first-of-its-kind development, one of Oman’s most decorated clubs, Seeb, is all set to open a mall on its premises.

Known as Grand Bazar Seeb, the project spread over 10,000sq m, is expected to be formally opened early next month, and will be an example for the other clubs in the country to follow.

In his remarks to Muscat Daily , H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said, the club’s president, said, “The Grand Bazar Seeb will serve the youth and the people of the wilayat of Seeb.

“It is a project that we envisaged many years back and we are happy to see it completed. It is an example of how sports clubs in the sultanate can look into private investment opportunities to become self-reliant. The Grand Bazar Seeb will boost the club’s financial well-being and is certain to provide benefits on all fronts.”

Sayyid Shihab has been instrumental in leading Seeb Club to great heights as it boasts of a record number of 12 His Majesty’s Cup for Youth titles including four in a row, with the last coming in December 2018.

HM’s Cup for Youth is the symbol of club supremacy in the sultanate and Seeb is known for its all-round excellence in various sports with 11 sporting activities practised and promoted by the club.

The club’s mantra to focus on different sports rather than just football has seen it bring laurels in other sports and Grand Bazar is expected to give impetus to more activities. “This is the largest mall coming up on a club premises and it is a pioneering initiative. I hope other clubs can take cue from this project and move towards such innovative plans to enhance their financial situation. We are proud that the investors displayed trust in us. We thank JINFA for investing in the project.”

The mall is expected to have nearly 300 outlets for apparels, toys, household goods, ample parking space and restaurants. It is also going to have accommodation for foreign players of the club and would also rent out office spaces.

With the official launch expected to be early next month, club officials are in an upbeat mood. Yousuf al Wahaibi, the club vice president, said, “It is a dream project and I hope that it paves way for more such initiatives from other clubs. We all know that clubs have been struggling to manage finances but by opting for such plans, they can bring in more investments to boost their financial health.

“Seeb Club has always been in the forefront of initiating path-breaking steps to provide best facilities for the youth. Be it the hockey astro-turf pitch or swimming pool, or the indoor courts and the football pitch, we have tried to provide top-class facilities for our youth and players. By opening up Grand Bazar Seeb, we now open our doors for the public of Seeb.”